Chapter 17: Hitting The Right Nerve

Odessa's Pov

I make a call to the dorm security on my way out, my phone pressed tight against my ear as I walk down the hallway. I request a new lock, something sturdy, something that can't be picked or tampered with, before Damien stabs me in my sleep next time. The thought sends a chill down my spine. I should've been more careful. I should've known he wouldn't just give up that easily.

All I have to do right now is survive Nikolai for about thirty minutes after I propose the topic that I'm submitting on our behalf. Thirty minutes. I can do that. I've survived worse.

It reminds me of Nick as I check my phone, scrolling through our conversation. He's responded to my last text from over thirty minutes ago, the one I sent before all the Damien chaos.

\[@nickbyrde: Sorry, I went offline. Something came up. I think you should be careful with all of them though. His brothers could be pretending to change.\]

I frown at the screen as I reach the hallway leading to the lobby, my footsteps echoing on the tile floor.

\[@odessamontgomery: I don't think you know the full story yet. I trust them, oddly.\]

\[@nickbyrde: But you don't trust the other guy?\]

\[@odessamontgomery: Of course not.\]

\[@nickbyrde: Why?\]

\[@odessamontgomery: For starters, he hates me, bullies me, stole my thesis.\]

I type the words quickly, annoyed just thinking about it.

\[@nickbyrde: What if he did it to protect you or something? Did you check the full thesis?\]

I stop walking for a second, staring at the message. The full thesis?

\[@odessamontgomery: The full thesis?\]

I slide my phone into my back pocket before I can overthink it, deciding to deal with that later. Right now, I have to handle Nikolai.

When I get to the lobby, just like he said, he's sitting at the entrance, his long legs stretched out in front of him. He's putting his phone away and chatting with one of the old security guards, far too deep in what looks like a debate. His hands are moving, his expression animated in a way I rarely see.

"Maybe if you channel your disturbed moral code for my aesthetic into protecting your residents, we wouldn't be having this conversation." He rolls his eyes so hard I'm surprised they don't get stuck.

I actually think he should start wearing a sign that says 'Don't start a conversation with me.' None of it ever seems to end well for whomever speaks with him, let alone gets preachy with him. The guard looks unfazed though, which is surprising.

I quicken my pace, ready to break in and diffuse whatever seems like an argument, but the old man just laughs and taps Nikolai's shoulder. "You really pulled a nice one for a girlfriend," he says, nodding toward me.

Nikolai glances my way, then back at the guard. "Nah, she's just lucky." He clicks his tongue like the very idea is absurd.

"We're not dating." I state it plainly to the guard, who makes an "oh" gesture with his lips, his eyebrows rising.

Nikolai rolls his eyes again, pushing off from the wall. "Like that would ever happen." He brushes past the guard and heads toward the exit. "Let's go, Tesoro. I really don't have all day."

"Give me a moment, please." I hold up a hand to the guard. "I want to file to change my room lock."

The guard's expression softens with understanding. "Your boyfriend... he already did. Says someone broke in last night." He shakes his head slowly. "I'm deeply sorry, Miss. It won't happen again."

"Oh." I glance at Nikolai with my brow raised, trying to mask my shock. Damien changed the lock? After breaking in himself? The audacity is almost impressive. I clear my throat and fold my hands in front of me. "Thank you. Can I still sign the form, just in case?"

"Just in case?" Nikolai frowns, his eyes narrowing at me. "You don't trust me?"

"I find it convenient that you're asking me that question." I don't wait for his response, turning to follow the guard who leads the way to the receptionist's desk.

My phone buzzes with a text from Nick on my way there, the vibration familiar against my palm.

\[@nickbyrde: Yes, the full thesis. I read through the final version and it's completely different from the draft you mentioned. Maybe you should see it for yourself.\]

I type back quickly, balancing my phone in one hand while the guard explains the form to the receptionist.

\[@odessamontgomery: I'll probably go through it when I wrap up my interview today.\]

\[@nickbyrde: Interview?\]

\[@odessamontgomery: Yes. I joined a reality dating show.\]

There's a pause. I can almost see him staring at his screen.

\[@nickbyrde: What?\]

The reply is almost instant, the words sharp even through text.

\[@odessamontgomery: Moonlit Bonds? The one my mom produces.\]

\[@nickbyrde: Goodness, Odessa. Why? Is this because you want to get back at Damien?\]

I chew on my bottom lip, trying to find the right words.

\[@odessamontgomery: It's way more complicated than that.\]

\[@nickbyrde: You're looking for love?\]

\[@odessamontgomery: You could put it that way.\]

A loud thud echoes through the lobby, so sudden and sharp that I shiver a bit, my shoulders tensing. I look back to see Nikolai cursing underneath his breath after punching the wall close to him. His knuckles are red, his chest heaving. The guard glances over but wisely says nothing.

My phone buzzes again.

\[@nickbyrde: What way? You want to get on that show and get shared around among about ten men until you figure out the right one?\]

I stare at the message, my jaw tightening.

\[@odessamontgomery: Why are you being so mean about it?\]

\[@nickbyrde: I'm not being mean. It's just that this is so unreasonable.\]

\[@odessamontgomery: You did ask me to do crazy things. I do it now and you're mad. Great.\]

\[@nickbyrde: Just forget it.\]

I freeze when I see the form with the section for a guardian or partner already filled out, it's signed as "Nikolai De Luca" so he requested to change the lock and Damien? It's not entirely relieving and is also confusing, does he want me to be safe or is this another tactic to make me miserable? No wonder he asked why I didn't trust him. God,I can be so slow sometimes. I let out a deep sigh as I sign the form, my handwriting shaky, and specify the kind of lock I want before making the payment.

The receptionist hands me a receipt and I fold it into my pocket, then head back to where Nikolai was standing.

He's still there, but his posture has changed. His shoulders are rigid.

"Sorry," he says before I can open my mouth. "I might have to cancel. Just send the topic to my email."

He rushes his words and leaves before I can even say anything else, his long strides carrying him toward the exit in seconds. The door swings shut behind him.

I stand there, alone in the lobby, watching the spot where he disappeared.

What is his deal? First Nick, now Nikolai. What is wrong with everyone today?